Visit the Catskill Interpretive Center

Situated on 60 acres of forest, fields and wetlands in the hamlet of Mount Tremper, the Catskill Interpretive Center is home to our Visitor Center and Gift shop. In addition to the Center itself, the site features: walking trails totaling just over 1.5 miles; a sculpture park showcasing local Catskill artisans; picnic areas; a covered pavilion; wildlife viewing; access to the Esopus Creek; and more.

Visitor and Interpretive Services

The Catskill Interpretive Center is your gateway to the Catskill Region and the Catskill Park. Our staff and volunteers are on hand to help you plan your Catskill adventure and vacations, from information about our communities, to the best trails for a variety of users. In the Catskill Interpretive Center we offer:

Brochures and guides to the many different recreational, cultural and historical attractions and resources of the Catskills

Maps for hiking, fishing, mountain biking, scenic byways and more

Information on events across the region

Trained staff and volunteers to help answer any questions you may have

Public restrooms

Gift Shop

The Catskill Interpretive Center's Gift Shop has a wide variety of books and guides about the Catskill Park, the Catskill Mountains and the surround areas. We also carry a large selection of quality trail maps and trail guides to help you have a safe and enjoyable adventure on the trails, whether you are hiking or mountain biking.

In addition to books, maps and guidebooks, the Catskill Interpretive Center Gift Shop offers local products, fire tower merchandise include Catskill Fire Tower patches and a number of items to help you enjoy your stay in the Catskills!

Walking Trails

The Catskill Interpretive Center currently has three different trails available for visitors to enjoy:

The Interpretive Trail is approximately 1/2 a mile long loop trail that circles the Interpretive Center site. The trail was constructed to ADA accessibility standards and is available to walkers and visitors of any ability! Along the trail, there are multiple interpretive panels, telling the story of the Interpretive Center site and the Catskills.

The Nature Trail is approximately 1/2 mile long and ascends the slope behind the Interpretive Center and ends at a rustic picnic area. The trail, originally built by the NYNJ Trail Conference showcases trail building techniques used throughout the Catskills on new, sustainable trails and trail reconstruction projects.

The Esopus Creek Trail is approximately 1/2 mile long and travels from the Interpretive Center, across Route 28 and to the bank of the Esopus Creek. This trail is constructed to ADA accessibility standards and provides a family-friendly route to the banks of the Esopus where you can enjoy the mountain and river view and access the Esopus Creek.

Outdoor Sculpture

Large mixed-media works by local sculptors and others with a personal connection to the Catskills are featured in annual exhibits on the grounds of the CIC. Our new Sculpture Trail along the existing Interpretive Trail loop lets visitors appreciate the art up-close as they take in the natural beauty and fresh mountain air.

The current exhibit includes work by John Byer, Adrian Landon, Ellen Wilkinson, Michael Poast, Iain Machell, Freedom Baird, Dave Channon, and Susan Togut. Keep an eye on our CIC Events page for upcoming opportunities to meet the artists and learn more about the thriving arts community in the Catskills.

Stop by the CIC building to pick up a map of the sculpture locations before you head out. Be sure to also download our Sculpture Trail Audio Guide on the FREE Otocast app (available in the App Store and Google play) to hear the stories of how each sculpture came to be in the artist's own words.

Picnic Areas, Wildlife Viewing and Esopus Creek Access

The large field surrounding the Catskill Interpretive Center makes the perfect place for a picnic! The Interpretive Center site includes picnic tables with umbrellas throughout the open area. A second, more rustic picnic area is available after a short climb on the Nature Trail. This picnic area features a view of Romer Mountain and Mount Pleasant to the south.

The Catskill Interpretive Center offers a covered pavilion open to the public for picnicking, for workshops and presentations and for special events. The pavilion has capacity for approximately 100 visitors and is available to individuals and groups for special event rentals (please email info@catskillcenter.org for more information).

Wildlife viewing opportunities abound on site and include birds, mammals and amphibians in several different habitats on site.

Access to Esopus Creek is available via the Esopus Creek Trail. This trail provides direct access to the bank of the creek for wildlife viewing, fishing and recreation.